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Written by: John Burke

Published: 05 March 2025

Hits: 142

• Electoral Reform
• Voting and Blockchain
• ZEC Replaced
• Democracy Pending

With Zimbabweans arriving from Scotland, Newcastle, Stockton-on-Tees, Leeds, Wakefield, Leicester, Nottingham there was a very much 'Northern' flavour to the day. However the good showing {again} from the contingent from CCC Southend provided some 'balance' but in practice it was all a very much friendly affair - we even enlisted a couple of visitors to the Zimbabwe Embassy to agree with our aims - whilst they waited for the timid Embassy Staff to open their doors - we presume because a group of free thinking Zimbabwean were outside.

Again, this time a well dress CIO emerged from the Embassy to scuttle off to MacDonalds!

We have added this write up of our Demonstration and Petition handover, to our web section called "Mismanagment" as that fits well with the target of our 'complaint' regarding the desperate need for Electoral Reform - that being ZEC - the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. A sub-set of a {normal} government tasked with organsising the full voting process - from registration, to counting the votes and declaring the winner. 

Unfortunately ZEC fails of every metric possible - for their Electoral Mis-management - due in large part to being subservient to the ruling regime {illegal -as it has no electoral mandate based on votes actually cast} - namely Zanu PF. The party tasked by Robert Mugabe to effect a One-Party-State in Zimbabwe since before the 18th April 1980! Mugabe, and now Mnangagwa are communist inspired zealots - who shun, ignore and debase all democratoic norms. The 

Indeed revelations by deepseek and GROK3 {two powerful AI based Research aids} both confirm the catalogue of democratic failure within and without Zimbabwe. see this article which explores the cladestine interplay between the supposed Zimbabwean revolution, and the British MI6: Zim History Post Independence 1 of 2 articles

Furthermore within our petiton {CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OR READ THE PETITION as SUMBITTED} we aver that Zimbabwe is not a democracy - in fact very far from a democracy - as this deep reseach below expertly reveals. This is why Zimbabwe needs to be re-cast a democracy - as promised back in the days before 18th April 1980. See our current Flickr Photo Log of the day with a few videos as well. FLICKR 5th March 2025

Milton Bingwa's Article Introducing the Blockchain Voting Practicalities

Milton Bingwa's article which was published to coinside with our Electoral Reform Petition to the UK PM. In addition, this will also be forwarded to the FCDO, Commonwealth Secretariat, and the UN

""A History of Electoral Fraud; Zimbabwe’s political landscape has been dominated by Zanu PF for over four decades, with recent elections under President Emmerson Mnangagwa doing little to convince critics that real democracy has taken place.""""Blockchain technology offers a unique approach to voting that could address many of these issues head-on. The technology is decentralised, transparent, and immutable, meaning that once a vote is cast, it cannot be altered or erased and the ledger is public for anyone to view, which provides full transparency. This could make it nearly impossible for the ZEC or Zanu PF to manipulate election results.""

Petition Extracts

""Radical Electoral Reforms: Key Components and Success Factors: Diaspora Voting Rights;
Why It Matters: Over 900,000 {or as many as 2-5 million!} Zimbabweans live abroad, many driven by economic necessity, yet they are denied voting rights despite their constitutional entitlement under Section 67. Including them could shift electoral outcomes, given their significant remittances ($340.5 million surplus in 2022) and potential opposition leanings.""

Estonia has been using blockchain technology in its elections for years, offering a secure and transparent voting system. Switzerland’s city of Zug, known as Crypto Valley and has also tested blockchain voting at a municipal level. Even in Africa, Sierra Leone trialled blockchain to audit its 2018 elections, showing that the technology can work on the continent.These examples prove that blockchain voting is not just a futuristic dream but a viable option that could transform Zimbabwe’s electoral process. It offers a way to restore public trust, which has been eroded by decades of mismanagement and corruption and voter intimidation. SOURCE: Link Here and HERE from the Financial Times re Estonia

But at this time, and for the last 45 years Zimbabwe has never been a Democracy: https://x.com/i/grok/share/caXZunRTBl9Dava0tz21b3yYn

Your supposition, as articulated by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Organisation (ZHRO), that there is little evidence of Zimbabwe being a democracy under Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership aligns with a significant body of observable data and analysis, particularly when viewed through the lens of the detention statistics we’ve explored and broader political dynamics. Let’s evaluate this systematically, considering key democratic principles—free and fair elections, rule of law, freedom of expression, and protection of human rights—against the evidence from Mnangagwa’s term (November 24, 2017, to March 1, 2025).

Read more: 5th March 2025 Report of the Day

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Written by: John Burke

Published: 19 February 2025

Hits: 204

• Why so much Corruption
• Where is Democracy?
• Election Rigging
• On Party State

AI - DeepSeek via Perplexity

Access to DeepSeek AI [Using non Chinese Servers]Note

The Question posed to this new AI Service: "Why is Zimbabwe's Government so corrupt and intent upon looting the nation? What could be done by local opposition and global political pressure?"

Zimbabwe's government has long been accused of widespread corruption and looting of national resources, contradicting official narratives that often blame economic challenges on external factors like sanctions.[1] The reasons for this entrenched corruption are complex and multifaceted:

1. Lack of accountability
Zimbabwe's Prosecutor General recently estimated that the country is losing $1.8 billion annually due to corruption, describing it as a major barrier to economic recovery. This massive sum bleeds the economy of revenue meant for sustainable development and improving citizens' lives.[1] The lack of strong prosecution systems for corruption cases allows this to continue largely unchecked.[1]

2. Patronage networks
Corruption has become institutionalized within Zimbabwean social systems, creating a patronage system where allegiance to leadership is rewarded with immunity from prosecution. This has normalized corrupt practices across many levels of society and government.[3]

3. Exploitation of natural resources
The president has been accused of enriching himself through gold and diamond smuggling networks and using his power to protect criminals facilitating these illicit markets.[4] Former officials have claimed that even when presented with evidence of diamond revenue looting, top leadership refused to act, dismissing concerns.[5]

4. Weak institutions and rule of law
The political elite has developed an elaborate system to protect their power and access to resources through security apparatus and legislation that shields them from public scrutiny. This has created an environment where access to political power significantly influences success in other socio-economic spheres.[3]

5. Economic instability
The nature of the state changed considerably during economic crises, leading to the emergence of more authoritarian governance and domestic tyranny. This shift allowed for increased corruption and abuse of power.[3]

6. Lack of transparency
Government officials have been accused of various corrupt practices, including bid-rigging for contracts, misallocation of foreign exchange, overpricing by connected suppliers, abuse of company resources, and false expense claims. Efforts to investigate and publicize these issues have often been suppressed.[2]

7. Impunity for high-level officials
Top government officials have been accused of using violent repression, election fraud, and intimidation tactics to maintain power. This includes allegations of deploying security services to silence dissidents and political opponents through kidnapping, torture, and other human rights abuses.[4]

The combination of these factors has created a deeply entrenched system of corruption that has proven difficult to dismantle, despite its devastating effects on Zimbabwe's economy and its citizens' well-being.

Citations:

• [1]  VOA news.com - Corruption Hurting the Economy
• [2]  IWPR Net Zisco Scandal
• [3]  TNI Org Power & Corruption PDF
• [4]  OCCRP US Zim Sanctions on President
• [5]  Mugabe Aware of Diamond Looting
• [6]  gov.uk-government-corruption-in-zimbabwe
• [7]  Ganintegrity.com--profiles/zimbabwe/
• [8]   Amnesty International - 2023 Elections
• [9]  BTI Project - Zimbabwe Report
• [10]  CITE org: food-aid-looted-under-the-cover-of-darkness/
• [11]   Nieman Report org - 3 months in Prison for Reporting Corruption

Please Note: the term AI {Artificial Intelligence} is a misnomer. What these system do is a very sophisticated web search of the available information. So if the information is corrupted, misleading or even a false agenda - it would still be included. AI cannot {as yet} differentiate such issues.

Worse still is the Globalist Agenda to classify all "Government Posted Information" as the "Truth" {!! I kid you not!!} and "Alternative Sources" - Suspect. This issues is very much in evidence when using AI to ask about Climate Change/Emergency, Greenhouse Effect, Fossil Fuels, Covid 19 Vaccination Efficiacy etc etc. These are all Theories with Altenative Theories, equally supported by empirical evidence - and in many cases BETTER supported by Empiricle evidence 

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Written by: John Burke

Published: 02 February 2025

Hits: 229

• ED2030 No Way

Below is the current clutch of articles and reports regarding the Zimbabwean political conflagation of ED2030 which is ably summarised by the current Zapu President - Michael Sibangilizwe NKOMO - see article below for selected extracts from his Press Release. In addition the views of Newsday, the War Veterans, The National Youth Taskforce, The Zimbabwe Mail, and My Zimbabwe all echoing the same issues of - Unconstitutional, based upon the Failures of the Economy, The Currency and of all of Zanu Pf's Policies.

On Twitter/X  @SandileMakeba "I stand with the Constitution of Zimbabwe, and I do not align with the so-called 2030. Let's give each other a chance to lead!"

"Clive Malunga of the nesango hitmaker , a fearless and celebrated war veteran in Zimbabwe has once again come out and castigated president Mnangagwa over the 2030 mantra! He despises the idea of trying to serve over constitutional limits, at the expense of millions of suffering Zimbabweans who can’t even afford a decent daily meal while many face drought in the rural areas." Source Twitter/X 22nd December 2024

REJECTION OF THE 2030 AGENDA
We, as the young people of Zimbabwe, united in our diversity, strongly condemn the attempts by the corrupt regime of Mr Mnangagwa and its allies to extend the illegitimate presidential term of office. We want to categorically state that there will be no term extension for the President in Zimbabwe. The current conversation that we must have as a nation is how do we avoid disputed Electoral outcomes which lead to a legitimacy crisis as we have now that is finding expression in the failure by the government to deliver basic services.

Mnangagwa's government has been characterized by rampant corruption, violation of human rights, unemployment, and a broken educational system in Zimbabwe - nothing is working. This is why the people of Zimbabwe wholesomely rejected Mnangagwa and his outfit in August 2023 and confidently voted for President Chamisa with an intention to form a People's Government, a desired government by all.

We will not stand idly - by while an illegitimate president who does not have a social contract with the people, attempts to extend the suffering of our nation. We will not watch as he seeks to prolong the looting of public resources, the poor health system, capture of state institutions, and a dead economic system that have plagued our country. We will not fold our hands when our future is at stake.

We therefore call on all progressive forces to join us in rejecting this shameful agenda in its entirety and to work together towards a better future for our country, A New and Great Zimbabwe for Everyone!
 #NoToVision2030Nonsense
Issued by The National Youth Taskforce  [Click to see original Press Release] dated - 17th Jan 2025

CITIZENS COALITION FOR CHANGE CCC Date 8 January 2025 CABINET PRESS STATEMENT
Statement by CCC MPs on the nefarious 2030 agenda.
As Members of Parliament elected by the people and who represents the Alternative, we would like to distance ourselves from the statement allegedly made by Hon. Charles Moyo regarding moving the constitutionally due 2028 elections to 2030. We reiterate that we are constitutionalists, and the year 2030 agenda is not part of our policy agenda as a party. As enshrined in Section 2 ( 2 ) of our Zimbabwean
Constitution, the constitution is binding on every person, natural or juristic, including the State and all executive, legislative, and judicial institutions and agencies of government at every level, and must be fulfilled by them.

We would also like to make it categorically clear that, as opposition MPs, we have no association with Zanu PF resolutions and cannot be compelled to ratify them. The only relationship we have with Zanu PF, in the context of our parliamentary work, is to deliver policies that help grow our beloved country, Zimbabwe.

Our country faces numerous challenges, including food shortages, energy crises, moribund health services, climate change, corruption, and other vices. We are fully committed to addressing these challenges nothing else.

As an alternative government, we have always maintained that advancing the rule of law in Zimbabwe requires taking the right path. A false path will lead us to the very opposite of what we aim to achieve as a nation. It is essential that we uphold the rule of law and approach it with sincerity and earnestness.
Hon Darlington Chigumbu
Shadow Cabinet Spokesperson
One People, One Nation, One Vision

Newsday Zimbabwe 23rd January 2025

"CIVIL society organisations in Zimbabwe are reportedly uniting to form a massive movement aimed at challenging the push by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Zanu PF supporters to extend his term of office. This development comes amid revelations that Zanu PF plots to push for constitutional amendments to extend Mnangagwa’s rule beyond the constitutional two-term limit. His second term ends in 2028 and he has clearly said he does not intend to be in power beyond his tenure."

"The proposed extension has sparked widespread debate and criticism, with many arguing that it undermines Zimbabwe’s democratic principles and constitutional norms."

ZAPU Lead Article by President Nkomo 29th January 2025 

"Fellow Zimbabweans, diplomats, civil society, friends of Zimbabwe, and esteemed members of the Fourth Estate, all protocols observed. It is my singular honor to address you all gathered here and by extension the nation at large. The urgency of our national crisis cannot afford us much time in the way of pleasantries, so kindly allow me to cut to the chase." {CLICK My IMAGE TO SEE THE ZAPU STATEMENT AS PDF}.

"As the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU), we stand opposed to the ED2030 agenda being clamored for by Mr Mnangagwa’s loyalists and their proxies in captured opposition parties. ZAPU remains the only genuine opposition party free from any ties to ZANU PF. Ours is a government in waiting, the only viable alternative ready to rescue Zimbabwe from the rogue ZANU PF regime and its military-backed leader Mr Mnangagwa. He sneaked into power on the back of a military coup in 2017 and now seeks to extend his rule by staging another coup against the constitution of Zimbabwe. It is a treasonous ambition that no patriotic Zimbabwean should entertain."

"What Mr Mnangagwa is trying to achieve is the grandfather of all illegalities. Our considered view is that the continuing chicanery dates back to 1980, when ZANU stole the people’s votes after we attained our independence from colonial rule. ZANU PF morphed into a rabid carnivore and chose to replace the colonial regime. Inspired and instructed by the Rhodesian era, ZANU PF continues to take the citizens of Zimbabwe for granted, and the people along with ZAPU and even the ancestors are fed up. During their national conference held in Bulawayo in October 2024, the ZANU PF delegates resolved first and foremost to extend Mr Mnangagwa’s presidential term from 2028 to 2030. This was done ostensibly to allow President Mnangagwa more time to oversee the fulfillment of ‘Vision 2030’, which he supposedly conceived but we all know this is not the case."

"Today we join the growing list of organizations and patriotic Zimbabweans refuting these claims by ZANU PF representatives. The list now includes genuine War veterans tired of watching in silence as the country is driven deeper into the woods by the clueless Mr Mnangagwa. We categorically reject the claims that the people of Zimbabwe wish to endure more suffering beyond 2028. Extending Mr Mnangagwa’s draconian rule beyond the constitutional limit set for 2028, amounts to the extension of industrial-scale looting, unemployment, poverty, crime and low life expectancy for Zimbabweans. Only the merchants of death and suffering can agitate for the extension of Mr Mnangagwa’s presidential term even by a week. His first term powered by a military coup and the second one secured from a stolen mandate in August 2023 have been disastrous enough for the people."

Read more: ED 2030 Opposition

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Written by: Grok2 and additional materials by John Burke

Published: 15 January 2025

Hits: 647

• Undemocratic
• Government Failures

What chance have Human Rights got when Democracy in Zimbabwe is merely a "Calculated Façade" - Masquerading as a Democracy is the main issue.

Do the Zimbabwe government display democratic attributes?

GROK (X/Twitter version of AI - {Artificial Intelligence} and Human Research

The question of whether the Zimbabwean government displays democratic attributes is complex and multifaceted, given the country's political history and current governance practices. Here are some key points to consider:

Elections: Zimbabwe holds regular elections, which is a fundamental aspect of democracy. However, these elections have often been criticized for lacking fairness and transparency. Allegations of vote rigging, intimidation, and violence have marred several elections, including those in 2008 and 2018. The 2023 elections were similarly criticized for irregularities and intimidation, reflecting ongoing issues with the democratic process.

• US Aid Article
• IDEA International Article
• Human Rights World Article

Judicial Independence: The judiciary's independence is crucial for democracy, but in Zimbabwe, there have been reports of judicial interference by the executive. Judges have been pressured to make rulings favourable to the government, undermining the separation of powers. The appointment process of judges has also been questioned for its lack of transparency and independence from executive influence.

ISS AFRICA - regarding Zimbabwe

Media Freedom: Freedom of the press is another cornerstone of democracy, yet in Zimbabwe, media freedom has been severely restricted. The government has historically used laws to control media narratives, close independent newspapers, and intimidate journalists, leading to self-censorship and a lack of diverse media voices.

• US State Dept 2020 Zimbabwe Report
• US State Dept 2022 Zimbabwe Report

Civil Liberties: The government's record on civil liberties is poor, with reports of human rights abuses, suppression of political opposition, and the use of state security forces to quell dissent. The 2022 Private Voluntary Organization (PVO) Amendment Bill further restricts civil society's ability to operate freely, particularly on issues deemed "political."

Freedom House Report

Read more: The Masquerade of Democracy